TechRadar Review Calls Castlevania: Belmont's Curse a Worthy Return Ahead of October 15 Launch

The title was developed by Evil Empire, the studio behind Dead Cells, working with Konami. TechRadar said Evil Empire's command of the Metroidvania genre made it a safe but effective choice to take on the series, and that the studio ran with the opportunity. Konami had rarely revisited Castlevania apart from tie-ins with Dead Cells and re-releases, though the Netflix animated adaptation and its Nocturne spinoff kept the franchise in view.

Belmont's Curse serves as a sequel of sorts to both the Netflix Castlevania series and Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse. Players control Rose Belmont, the daughter of Trevor Belmont and Sypha Belnades, who is tasked with stopping new dangers flooding Paris and with uncovering how she and her mysteriously cursed arm fit into events. TechRadar wrote that the story delivers some twists, turns and strong moments but can feel sparse, and that it is uneven when set against its cinematic counterparts, though serviceable enough to keep players moving forward.

The reviewer found Rose a likeable protagonist who is not one-note and struggles with her emotions as the spotlight turns to her, crediting the supporting cast and the game's performers with giving her what she needs to be a worthy Belmont. Her Confidantes act as a moral compass, and the player chooses which direction she takes.

Gameplay begins once Rose leaves the docks of the Seine, with small tutorials giving way quickly to an open Paris. TechRadar described the action as harking back to classic Castlevania, with a range of weapons including the iconic whip, gauntlets and a spear, and with new versions of each found throughout the world. Abilities earned after certain bosses unlock attacks such as throwable crosses and pillars of fire, leaving combat customization open. The reviewer favored the whip for rewarding distance with better damage output, with the spear a close second.

Level design drew the strongest praise. TechRadar called it phenomenal, citing trap-filled chasms and eerie vistas that look impossible but remain enticing enough to push through. Rose's journey extends beyond Paris into several regions, each with its own theme and gimmick, and backtracking for secrets and clues is eased by new abilities including an air dash and a grappling hook whip. The review said the traps and platforming demand precision and good reflexes.

Against those strengths, TechRadar listed notable audio and visual glitches, a game that can get too complicated early on, and a story that feels surface level at times. Its verdict stated that the decade-long wait for Belmont's return, while not perfect, keeps the bloodline alive and well, and that the game is proof any franchise given the right team and opportunity can make magic again.